The mayor of Oslo has said it's ok to wave foreign flags in Norway's national day of celebration on May 17th.
"From the city council's viewpoint, we'd like to encourage the waving of Norwegian flags, but there is not any ban on flags from other lands," said Fabian Stang to newspaper Dagsavisen.
A number of immigrant organizations expressed the view that children should wave the Norwegian flag on the 17th of May, and Mayor Stang agreed with the sentiments.
"My hope is that it would be completely natural for all to carry the Norwegian flag on the 17th of May," said the mayor.
But he emphasized that it would be "absurd" to take away other flags from the children's parades that go through Oslo on the national holiday.
"The 17th of May is a major holiday for all kids," said Stang. "The multiplicity of Oslo is one of its great strengths," he said, "and I really hope that all Oslo's kids want to participate in the 17th May parade."
Source: Aftenposten (English)
See also: Oslo: Foreign flags banned in Constitution Day celebrations
1 comment:
The mayor's statement is positively ridiculous. On a day of national celebration, why would the flags of OTHER countries be acceptable? It's perfectly fine if immigrants want to express their cultural origins in, say, their mode of dress; but waving the flag of their former home is a declaration of ALLEGIANCE to that former country. (Watch - I guarantee you will see flags for Hezbollah in the parade.)
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